Sunday's negotiation may become a "watershed" of the current phase six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, said chief Japanese negotiator Kenichiro Sasae Saturday night.

 

Sasae told reporters that on the banquet China held for the six delegation chiefs Saturday evening, parties have made "tough efforts" for consultations. The negotiations are still going on, he added.

 

He did not elaborate whether or not the meeting will enter another recess. "To take a recess is one of the options," he said, adding there are other ways.

 

As for question on whether the talks have made progress, Sasae said it is too early to judge progress of the talks.

 

The six-party talks on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue will continue on Sunday, said Chinese delegation spokesman Liu Jianchao Saturday, but giving no specific timetable.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2005)